Judge throws out claims against predator cop’s supervisors

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SAN DIEGO — A federal judge Thursday dismissed claims against nine San Diego police supervisors in connection with the sexual assault of a woman by former Officer Anthony Arevalos.

The victim, identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, alleged that Arevalos’ supervisors violated her rights by intentionally covering up his repeated misconduct. Judge Michael Anello dismissed the claims against the officers, identified as William Landsdowne, David Bejarano, Rudy Tai, Danny Hollister, Kevin Friedman, Victoria Binkerd, Robert Kanaski, Max Verduzco and Jorge Guevara.

Anello ruled that there was no evidence that the SDPD supervisors had “Knowledge that Arevalos was engage in conduct that posed a pervasive and unreasonable risk of constitutional injury.”

“Judge Anello based his decision on the body of law that protects government employees from liability for many types of misconduct,” said Linda Workman, one of Doe’s attorneys.

Doe’s attorneys said they will continue to press claims against the city when the case goes to trial on July 8.

City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said that the city acknowledges its legal responsibility for Arevalos’ misconduct while on duty, which is why it has settled with 12 of the predator cop’s victims.

“The upcoming trial is about what injuries Jane Doe suffered and how much she should be rewarded,” Goldsmith said. “We want the jury to see all the evidence and set a reasonable amount for whatever injuries they find she, in fact, suffered.”